All the Non Fiction Books I've Read in 2023! || Reviews & Recommendations

[@BookswithEmilyFox]

What are some non fiction books you've enjoyed and would recommend?

[@noaaa7]

The top 3 I've read this year that you haven't read already: The Gospel of Wellness: Gyms, Gurus, Goop, and the False Promise of Self-Care (Rina Raphael) Sex Cult Nun: Breaking Away from the Children of God, a Wild, Radical Religious Cult (Faith Jones) Alexander Hamilton (Ron Chernow)

[@dotKaydot]

My favourites of the year so far were All the Living and the Dead by Hayley Campbell and Featherhood by Charlie Gilmour

[@kthebookwyrm1590]

My tops from this year are: Invisible Women by Caroline Criado-Perez Mediocre and So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee by David Treuer Platonic by Marisa G Franco Refusing Compulsory Sexuality by Sherronda J Brown The End of Policing by Alex S Vitale Ace by Angela Chen

[@mayh233]

I really enjoyed the Sister by Sung-Yoon Lee, if you are interested in north Korean politics then this is good. The five by Hallie Rubenhold is also great, a great snapshot into the lives of poor victorian women in England by looking at the back story of the Jack the ripper victims.

[@bibilbophile]

If you're going to read any memoir, Know My Name by Chanel Miller is the best book I've ever read. An incredibly powerful story and reflection on how media/law treat sexual assault victims

[@Sayantika_Sarkar]

I've found that She has an impeccable taste when it comes to non-fiction recommendations. While I'm a devoted fiction reader, her suggestions have never failed to intrigue and captivate me. Trusting her recommendations has added a refreshing dimension to my reading journey.

[@bibilbophile]

I think nonfiction recs are always my faves from Emily! (sci fi is a close second)

[@ericapoe]

Same!!!! Her nonfic recs have led me to read more nonfiction.

[@elsielinstrom]

I'm a therapist and Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents have changed so many lives of my clients. Very insightful and it hits HARD if you can identify with it

[@comicbelief]

There’s a book called Invisible Women, by Caroline Criado Perez… It discusses how the world was designed for men, even to the smallest details. How things like seatbelts don’t take into account the female form. It’s a very interesting read.

[@BookswithEmilyFox]

That was another frustrating read for sure!

[@crazybiogeek]

I have that one, and I really should pick it up. I think I'm a bit more ready for the subject matter than I was during the time I bought it.

[@michellebrad6091]

In terms of erased women in history, I read "Bygone Badass Broads" by Mackenzie Lee, which was written with a lot of humor! Super short stories with illustrations of 52 forgotten women (some might be a little morally grey 😂). I also own "Forgotten women: the scientists" by Zing Tsjeng. Haven't read that yet, but it also has beautiful art in it and it's a whole series! Another one I found but haven't read is "What should we be worried about" by John Brockman. It has A LOT of really short stories on what scientist all over the world worry about most. Probably really depressing, but nice to discover what topics I might want to learn more about!

[@christinedugas3089]

You've called out fatphobia in books (the Louise Penny mysteries come to mind). I noticed when adding the Kate Manne books to my to-read list that she has another book coming out early next year called Unshrinking dealing with fatphobia in case that interests you.

[@imaginarycosmetics]

I don't read a lot of non-fiction, but I keep adding your recommendations to my tbr😂 The only one I read this year is Braiding Sweetgrass. It's pretty slow-paced and leaned more into the memoir aspect than I expected but I really enjoyed it and think it's worth a read (especially for anyone working in science). Actually, when I read Blood Over Bright Haven I was reminded a lot of the themes in Braiding Sweetgrass: indigenous wisdom versus western science, how language and stories shape our worldview, ecological destruction for the sake of progress/convenience, mistreatment of indigenous people. While these are depressing topics, they're still balanced with hope and the writing style is beautiful.

[@msellenandrea]

You've inspired me to read more non fiction, and have read 13 so far this year! I have a few of these on my tbr too!

[@comicbelief]

Language on KZbin is a weird thing. There’s this photography channel I like and they have a recurring problem of being demonetized when a video talks about “shooting wildlife”, even though they mean taking pictures. 😂

[@BookswithEmilyFox]

Noooo that’s awful lol

[@Katiedora122]

It's funny to me, because I think your video last year inspired me to get on my nonfiction game, and now I've read/listened to about 30 nonfiction books this year, hahaha. I do like history, but I like very specific tops, and some of my favorites have been: Madame Restell: The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Old New York's Most Fabulous, Fearless, and Infamous Abortionist by Jennifer Wright The Secret History of Home Economics: How Trailblazing Women Harnessed the Power of Home and Changed the Way We Live by Danielle Dreilinger Strong Female Character by Fern Brady (this is really a memoir about her autism, but short with great writing) Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe Denali's Howl: The Deadliest Climbing Disaster on America's Wildest Peak by Andy Hall Dirtbag, Massachusetts: A Confessional by Isaac Fitzgerald (I enjoyed it because I am from MA) They Were Her Property: White Women as Slave Owners in the American South by Stephanie E. Jones-Rogers Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right by Jane Mayer (if you want to feel really enraged by politics in the US)

[@TheVioletdecember]

Yay! This was my favorite video of yours last year. So pumped for another roundup!

[@becklebooks]

I like the sound of wordslut. I reserved it at my library! Sounds fascinating to understand the small switches or implications of language.

[@Senidhr]

I also read Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents this year. I also didn't cried (to be fair, never cried because of a book), but every few sentences i would close the book and stare at nothing just thinking and absorbing what i read. It helped me a lot, to see my parents in a new light. I am already in therapy, but gave me a new sigh, another perspective. It helped.

[@BookswithEmilyFox]

It was definitely validating!

[@dianeal-hakari1479]

Emily your non fiction book recommendations are the BEST!

[@blandface9957]

I've been so excited for this video! I want to get into non-fiction but anytime I watch videos on "best non-fiction" it's ALWAYS self-help and I'm just not interested in it. (I have this same problem with trying to find podcasts)

[@BookswithEmilyFox]

Rather hear all about butts huh 😂

[@blandface9957]

@@BookswithEmilyFox At this point yes 😂

[@socaltoobie8984]

I also do not care for any self help but there are plenty of other great non-fiction options! Here are some: - The Art Thief (Michael Finkel) - Con Artist (Antony Tetro) - The Feather Thief (Kirk Wallace Johnson) - Liquid Gold (Roger Morgan-Grenville) - Entangled Life (Merlin Sheldrake) - Born a Crime (Trevor Noah) - Bad Blood (John Carreyrou) - Truffle Hound (Rowan Jacobsen) - In the Weeds (Tom Vitale)

[@Megansjournal]

My favourite I read this year was the flat share or the launch party! I also made a video on my 2023 reads, I love sharing book recs! tysm for yours 🥰

[@shinyswondrouslibrary]

I did read the adult children of emotionally immature parents earlier this year and found it very validating, plus it helped me recognise certain patterns and therefore not engage in them. I do plan on reading the second one too, I think it's called self care for adult children of emotionally immature parents.

[@revenge0lobster]

Mwahah, I was searching for nonfic videos on your channel just yesterday!!

[@booklover6963]

You might like books by Michael Finkel . The Art Thief or The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit.

[@socaltoobie8984]

The Art Thief was sooooo good!!!

[@whatsupmara]

oh i didn't know there were sequels to adult children of emotionally immature parents. one is for healing from the parents and one about dealing with emotionally immature people in general. I'll start reading tonight

[@BookswithEmilyFox]

Please come back and let us know how it is!

[@whatsupmara]

@@BookswithEmilyFox Update to Recovering from EI Parents: - First 30%: repetition of the main book, feel free to skim or skip this if you've recently read it - Yes, there are strategies. They are about carving out space for yourself, getting to know yourself, your boundaries and what is important to you. How to validate yourself. - These things are the foundation you need for the strategies to work. That way you can view your parents as strangers, that you meet for the first time. Without expectations and meeting them as equals. You learn phrases on how to stand up for yourself and stop unwanted behaviour over time. And also that you have the right to ignore them or leave anytime. - It's generally about your rights, like a list of affirmations to help view yourself as an equal and demand respectful treatment. I would say the book is like an overview of self-growth areas. Boundaries, values, healthy communication and relationships, self compassion, etc. plus the knowledge about how emotionally immature people function. It is self-protection and self-validation for one interaction at a time. Was it worth the read? Kind of. I'm not blown away, but it was a nice reminder with some food for thought.

[@jessicabrard]

I read Unwell Women this year, loved it, thanks for the recommendation. Some of my favorites this year were Stolen Focus from Johann Hari & White Fragility from Robin DiAngelo.

[@pagesandprescriptions]

Havn't seen the video yet but already know this will break my tbr 😂 You always make me want to read all the non-fiction 😁

[@Breeski1]

Have you read or heard of the author Aubrey Gordon? she is a cohost on the popular podcast Maintenance Phase and has two non fiction book about health/fatohibia/society/etc. Theyre really good!

[@cuppiesaur]

This year I've read " Fuck Happiness: How Women Are Ditching the Cult of Positivity and Choosing Radical" by Ariel Gore and I really liked it. I think you will like it too since you liked "Toxic Positivity" 😊

[@y.r92]

I love these videos and I get it I read about some heavy topics and I just know is going to take me a lot of time to finish

[@butterflymagicwithhottea9291]

I like the selection of nonfiction. Wow, this is impressive and you did well in summarizing in engaging ways. Subscribing. Thank you for sharing.

[@butterflymagicwithhottea9291]

I'm also Canadian and francophone.

[@ChristinaQuiet]

Your non fiction recommendations are immaculate.

[@ambermray]

These are great recommendations! I always struggle finding nonfiction that isn’t either a memoir or self help.

[@crazybiogeek]

I've been more on a nonfiction/memoir kick this year. Crying in H Mart messed me up because I had just finished cancer treatments and the book made me see what an awful fate I avoided, or could have if the cancer comes back. I read a lot more of an uplifting memoir from Curtis Chin called Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant... well "uplifting" in that Curtis has a good life, but not so uplifting because he had to watch his home town of Detroit crumble around him. I do absolutely recommend How to Resist Amazon and Why by Danny Caine, about how Amazon is ruining the book industry, the environment, and everything in between. It's very educational. And I think I avoided the rage inducing qualities by already hating Jeff Bezos when I started reading the book.

[@serenity8910]

Emily, if you want to read more science-based history non-fiction I highly suggest checking out Lindsey Fitzharris. She has a book on the history of medical surgery, one about plastic surgery and one about plagues!

[@samleblanc2236]

"off with her head" is a great book if you are looking something more... legit...I don't know the word. It's the same topic but a better book. I really liked it! It dives into the ridiculous ways women have been remembered.

[@jkpiowa]

When people give the "it was a different time" excuse, I always respond with "then why did so many people know better?". Just because most people were racist/sexist/etc. that doesn't mean anyone knew thought it was right.

[@faye13l]

I love non fiction books so thanks for the recommendations!! Have you ever read Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez? I think you'd really like it and it's one of my favourite non fiction books.

[@camillegauthier621]

She read it in 2020 or 2021, I think its why she read so many medical/feminist books in 2022.

[@caleba9648]

I absolutely loved Bad Gays and I'm a big fan of the podcast too

[@evelynstenberg]

I definitely need to read more nonfiction. It's been too long since I read one.

[@yellowmeeplereads]

I flipped through Patient Zero when I stumbled upon it at the library, after hearing your previous mentions. It's full of pictures, like every page! I was wondering why you didn't mention the pictures before and thought I had the wrong book

[@BookswithEmilyFox]

I need a physical copy!

[@karaadams269]

I’m a history graduate. I highly suggest At The Dark End of the Street for some heavy feminism, sexism, and racism discussions.

[@sirgnome]

What genre? style? of nonfiction books do you like/dislike? I know you said you’re not a fan of history or memoirs, but are there any other topics you aren’t interested in? As a recommendation: I’m currently reading The Milky Way: An Autobiography of Our Galaxy. I haven’t finished it, but it’s written from the perspective of the Milky Way, and so far it’s got a pretty light tone and the science has been pretty accessible imo.

[@badfaith4u]

The Song of the Cell is on my TBR list since I enjoyed the previous two books by the author. I usually read fiction.

[@shadabali4313]

i regret opening this video......i wasn't expecting books ...still thanks for producing content about books

[@16caimar8]

Hi! I don’t know if you already said it, but I’m always wondering about the pages on your wall 😂 Are they quotes or to dos? hahaha

[@BookswithEmilyFox]

They're my favorite quotes/passages in Pride and Prejudice

[@LaughingStockfarm1]

I really appreciate that you bring forward feminist titles. Thank you! ❤️

[@jaskoxd1802]

I can recommend "ain't I a woman: black women and feminism" and "a curious history of sex". Both were really good. The first definetly pretty heavy. The one about sex quite funny :)

[@delicadacomoumelefante]

My taste is very similar to yours so this video grew up my TBR. My TBR is almost all books recommended by you. I love you but I hate you 😂

[@ChristineDeeney-wo5dy]

It’s not too late to add one more Nonfiction book. 32 Jobs & No Gold Watch. You won’t regret it. Thank you.

[@joselymartinez1926]

Great video! Any update on Charlie? 🌈

[@BookswithEmilyFox]

He’s acting normal… we’re moving on and hoping it won’t be a problem :/

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

I’ve just finished a really good nonfiction Good Morning Monster 🍀📚☘️📚📕☕️📖🇮🇪

[@spookyyjazz]

I had the same complaint w/adult children of emotionally immature parents- it felt like 80% story examples, which were great I guess bc yes they’re relatable but it didn’t feel like there was any other purpose to the book. No solutions, no deeper talking points. felt like a very shallow dip into the topic, which is just.. okay. definitely not what I expected from the hype 🤷‍♀️

[@BookswithEmilyFox]

That’s also how I feel!

[@emmacdp9076]

Hello ! Le livre Les grandes oubliées de Titiou Lecoq est superbe, c'est un essai qui revisite l'Histoire sous l'angle des femmes, c'est très intéressant ☺️

[@romalibra_books]

Men Who Hate Women is such an important work but I’m reading it over 6 months because it’s heavy and scary 😅

[@Gayathri-qt1bn]

Subscribed❤

[@michelacarletti3671]

Super interesting video, I put a few of these on my Libby list. Have you read 3 women by Lisa Taddeo? It’s an incredible nonfiction that reads like fiction and very feminist

[@michelacarletti3671]

Oh I’ve also just read a book that was almost banned in France “moi, Les hommes je les déteste”. Could be interesting for you!

[@asee7657]

I personally love "Against white feminism" I want to argue in favour of Virginia Woolf she especially makes the same (valid) point that you did when it comes to class, she says that she got her personal income at the same time as the right to vote and the income (so finanacial independence) is empowering her more because you can not really chance society when you're dependent on someone else and she even challenges wether gender is binary. I admit the intersectionality ends there 😂

[@mariadelmarjunyent1362]

I found Men who hate women in my library and I'm reading it now

[@meljstephan]

If I ever have a daughter, her name will be Rosalind, after Rosalind Franklin.

[@BirgitHaeupl]

📚❤️

[@Lysis99]

Foufounes? 😂 Comme le club a Montreal?

[@BookswithEmilyFox]

I am not from Montreal, so I’m not familiar lol

[@Sad.Purple.unicorn]

In Farsi we call Butt “koon” “كون" in case anyone cares 😄

[@annerfrancis]

I may be an outlier but I never liked any of his books. I disliked his illustrations and the boring rhymes.